Knitting machine pattern control mechanism



Sept. 17, 1940. H.-C. PINGEL v KNITTING MACHINE PATTERN CONTROL MECHQCISM Filed Aug. 13, 193'; Sheets-Sheet 1 I b NR a w) a Mi z v if 4 flwmwwik w TH m i N o fi w wn fi RN w n I wm QN I w$ QR was g s Q v Q /11\% Fl 7 w R ATTORNE 7 Sept. 17, 1940. H. c. PINGEL 2,214,936

KNITTING MACHINE PATTERN CONTROL IECHAN-ISI FiledrAug. 15, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla--5- 1o INVENTOR:

' flan 1' 6.]? el,

A TTORN Sept. 17, 1940. H. c. PINGEL KNITTING MACHINE PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 13, 1937 7-Shee't:s-Sheet 3 v "Wi li,"

INVENTOR. Hen 1' d ATTORN Sept. 17, 19 40. T H. c. PINGEL 2,214,936

KNITTING MACITINE PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 13, 19s: 7 Sheets-Sheet s EELS-"LE1- 7 Q({IIIIIIIwillllilliiiiiiii'ifi?i 1 4 I Flt}. l5; FILE- 1E 196 INVENTOR.

Han r 61175201, BY.

ATTORN pt. 17, 1940. H, c. PINGEL 2,214,936

KNITTING MACHINE PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM IN V EN TOR:

A TTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE PATTERN CONTROL MECHANISM Henry C. Pingel, Stony Creek Mills, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, corporation of Pennsylvania Wyomissing, Pa., a

Application August 13, 1937, Serial No. 158,847

32 Claims.

My invention relates to pattern control mechanisms for knittingmachinesgand particularly to mechanism of this character for automatically controlling the operation of a machine through a selective number of fabric forming steps.

It is usual in knitting machines, such as those of the full fashioned stocking or straight type, to employ pattern chains, or the like, and to vary the number of links in, or buttons on, the

chains to vary the pattern or length of the fabric being knitted. 1 N

This method of, or means for, varying the pattern that a machine will produce by changing the chain links or buttons, has such disadvantages that it is undesirable and impractical to make such changes often, which is a limitation on the flexibility and adaptability of the machine to produce different fabrics. 1

It is also usual to employcourse counting devices of one kind or another, but, to the best of my knowledge, no such device has heretofore obviated the necessity of changing the chain as above indicated.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the objections to prior art machines of the abovementioned kind, and to provide a mechanism whereby a knitting machine may be so readily adjusted to change the pattern or length of the fabric, as to render such adjustment entirely feasible between each pair of successive whole fab ric knitting operations if desired.

It is another object to enable such adjustment to be effected in a few seconds, by hand, without the aid of tools of any kind, and whereby an adjustmentonce effected may operate through the knitting of successive fabricswithout further attention or manipulation.

Another object is to enable a knitting machine to produce fabrics of different length and pattern without changing a pattern device, as by removing and adding links or buttons of a chain.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for a knitting machine including a pattern device, and a dialing course counter device or means, whereby the latter is entirely self contained and adjustable without adding or removing parts, and wherein, upon certain operation of either the pattern or counter device, op eration of the other is automatically instituted or controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated character in the form of an attachment which can readily be installed in existing machines without substantial alterations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a patterncontrol mechanism of the character set forth that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, and effective in its operation. I 5

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a full fashioned knitting machine, showing only a portion thereof adjacent to the left end, as viewed in the figure, and includingthe pattern control mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the machine, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, certain parts being omitted, of the combined pattern and course counter mechanism of the invention, as seen in Fig. 1, but considerably enlarged thereover;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

I Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 4, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, taken substantially along the line 6-8 of Fig. 2, showing the parts as positioned at one stage of operation;

Fig. 7 is a view, similar to Fig. 6, of the mechanism thereof, with. the parts indicated as positioned at another stage of operation, and illustrating otherjiarts not shown in Fig. 6;

Fig". 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 6, of the mech anism thereof, the parts being illustrated as positioned during a further stage of operation;

Figfilltis a view similar to Fig. 6, parts being rerngved and the others indicated as positioned during-' the stage of operation represented by Fig. 6

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line ill-l0 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line Il-ll of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation, taken along the line i2--|2 of Fig. 3;

-on the associated ratchetdisc.

Fig 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l3-I 3 of Fig. 8; I

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional View taken substantially along the line l4-I4 of Fig. 7, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 15 is a view, in front elevation, as viewed from the left in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a view, similar to Fig. 15, showing the parts in different positions;

Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line |1I1 of Fig. 7, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 18 is a view, in front elevation, of the structure of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view of a portion ofthe device taken substantially along the line 19-49 of Fig. 2, enlarged relative thereto;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view, taken substantially along the line 2020 of Fig. 7, of certain members thereof;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of portions of Fig. 19;

Figs. 22, 23 and 24 are detail sectional views, taken substantially along the'lines 22-22, 2323 and 2424, respectively, of Fig. 20; and

Fig. 25 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2525 of Fig. 7.

In the drawings and description, only those parts necessary to a complete understanding of the invention have been set forth; further information as to the construction and operation of other elements not herein 'specifically pointed out, but which are usual and well known, being available in the pamphlet entitled Full Fashioned Knitting Machines, copyright 1920, and in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogues, copyright 1929 and. 1935, publishedby the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, and in a pamphlet entitled Knitting Machine Lectures, published in 1935 by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyornissing, Pennsylvania.

In practicing the invention, in one exemplary form embodied in a full fashioned 4 stocking footer machine, it is employed to enable stocking blanks of different foot lengths to be manufactured readily and conveniently, each ofseveral blanks produced being of the same foot length as the one preceding or following, or of different foot length from that blank, as desired, without adding any parts to, or taking them from, the machine, without stopping the machine during any one complete fabric knitting operation or cycle, and with substantially the same facility, and in substantially the same time, as in knitting successive stockings of one foot size, except for the greater time needed to knit a larger size foot portion than a smaller size foot portion at the same machine speed.

This result is accomplished through the use of a self-contained adjustable course counting or dialing mechanism including a pawl .and ratchet advancing device, and a dog which can be adjusted to determine the number of courses to be knitted. V The pattern chain also has associated therewith a pawl and ratchet advancing device, and these parts are so inter-connected to the course counter parts that, as a certain button on the pattern chain reaches a chain follower, the chain advancing pawl is moved to inactive position, and the index wheel of the course-counter'mechanism is moved to take its pawl off a dead spot These operations stop the advance of the chain and start theoperation of the counter mechanism which,

I spot.

after counting the selected'courses, operates to cause resumption of operation of the chain ad-. vancing pawl against its ratchet wheel, the counter mechanism continuing to rotate after the chain has been restarted until the pawl of the counter mechanism again strikes said dead The apparatus therefore repeats the formation of a given selected number of courses at a certain point of the pattern" chain until the setting of the counter mechanism is changed by the operator. When it is not desired that the counter mechanism should have any effect, it is set in a zero position provided therein.

These operations take place in an area of repetitional courses, as in the sole portion of a stocking foot, between the patterned portion of the heel and the patterned portion of the toe portion, so that the above area may be of any desired walewise length between the minimum of the smallest foot produced and the maximum of the largest foot.

Referring to Figs. ;1 and 2, a full fashioned knitting machine for which, the invention is adapted, comprises a usual frame work including' frames l1 and 18, respectively, which are held in spaced relation along the machine by members including a front beam 19, a back beam 22, a center bed 23, and a cam shaft 24, for imparting movement to thevarious units of the machine, supported on the framework.

A sinker head 21 cooperates with needle banks 28 for forming loops of the fabric; the needles being held to a needle bar 29 by a clamp 3|.

. The needle banks 28 receive a horizontal move-' ment from the cam shaft 24 through a needle bar fork 32, a rocker arm 33 and a presser lever 34 carried by a presser shaft 31. Vertical movement is imparted to the needle banks, from the cam shaft, by means of a needle barshaft 38 and a needle bar lever 39 supportedon the shaft 28.

A narrowing lift assembly includes a cam lever 40, a follower 4| on the lever for cooperation with a cam 42 on the cam shaft 24, a vertical lever 43, one end of which is connected to the lever 40 and the other end of which is connected I cludes end stops 49 for carrier rods (not shown),

and a spindle resetting mechanism 54 for mane ually resetting the narrowing nuts .53 and. the end stops 49.

' The invention and the parts more directly associated therewith are represented generally, in Figs. 1 and 2, by a pattern device P and a dialing course counter device 0, these devices being shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 3 to 22,

inclusive. 1

The device P includes a sprocket wheel or' drum 51 for supporting one end of a usual pattern chain 58 supported at the other endby an idle sprocket wheel (not shown). The sprocket wheel 51 is 'rotatably mounted on a stationary spindle 59 having an enlarged portion 62 (Fig. 13). The latter bears against one side of a bracket 64 on the-front beam 19 and, v

in cooperation with a nut 63 at the other side of the bracket, secures the spindle in position.

Movement of the sprocket wheel 51 is damped by a yieldable' brake pad 61 held against one end of the wheel by a plate 68 and compression springs 69 disposed in recesses of a nut-12 in a bridge 13 (Fig. 2) between a rod 14 and a branch 11 of the bracket 64. A depending portion 18 of the branch 11, which is of substantially U- shape, longitudinally slidably supports control rods 19 that are'similarly supported elsewhere on the ,machine, and further description of which is not essential to an'understanding of the invention." 1

The sprocket wheel or drum 51 (Fig. 13') has a front bearing portion 82 journaled on the A rear bearing portion 84 of the wheel 51 is journaled on.the spindle and carries a ratchet wheel portion 81.

spindle 59 and in the nut 12.

A thrust bearing washer 88 for the wheel 51 is fixed to the spindle 59 by a pin 89. A crank 92 journaled on the spindle 59 has one arm 93,

on which a pawl 94 for the'ratchet wheel81 is.

' the ratchet wheel 81, and an end portion I91 of shoulder I99 (Fig. 10). connected, at one end, by a pin II4 to a button its other arm I98 for engagement with a shoulder 'member I99 adiustably. mounted along a link II2 by a screw andslot connector 3., The end I91 is connected to the shoulder I99 by a tension spring II9 (Figs. 7 and 10) extending between a pin'II5 dh'the end I91 and'a pin II6 on the The link H2 is pivotally follower lever II1,'that is pivotally mounted on a shaft II8 supported by'the bracket 64, and has v an intermediate follower portion II9 for engage- The button follower ment witha button I22. I lever H1 is biased toward the pattern chain 58 by a tension spring I23 extending between a lower end hook portion I24 of the lever and a rod I21 (Figs. 2, 6, '7 and 8) supported by-the branch 11 of the bracket 64. 'Movem'ent of the lever'II1 toward the chain is limited by a set screw- I28.

The arm 93 of the crank 92 also has a shoulder portion I29 (Figs. 2, 6 and 9) for engagement with a shoulder portion I32 on a cam follower lever I33 that is pivotally mounted on the bracket 64 bya pin I34, and carries a roller follower I31 for engagement with acam I38 on the cam shaft 24. The crank 92 is so biased by a spring I39, connected between a hook portion I42 therefofand a bracket I43 (Fig. 2) on the front beam I9, as to hold the portion I29 of the arm-93, as

[viewed in Fig. 9,-in engagement with the'portion I32 of'the lever I33, during the. pawling operation of the ratchet wheel 81. A hand lever I44, pivotally mounted on the spindle 59, has a portion I41 for engagement with a portion I48 of the pawl 94 for moving the pawl'to, and holding I ltin, inactive position (Fig. 19).

A spring I49 is connected between a pin I52, on the pawl 94, and "a pin I53, on the cam follower lever 133, to bias the pawltoward the ratchet wheel 81.

' Thedialing course counter device C, see particularly'Figs. 4 and 12, comprises a shaft I51 Journaled 'at its rear end in a bracket I58, and

supported, near its front end, in an, extension I 59 of the bridge 13, see also Fig. 1. The bracket I58 is secured to the bracket64,by a screw I62 and a dowel pin I63 (Fig. 9). A ratchet disc, or

and I69, respectively. A dog I12 (Figs.6 and i 7) is secured, by screws I13, to an arm I14 secured, by a set screw I'I1,to a sleeve I18 to which is also fixed, as by a split sleeve and screw device I19, an arm I89 having a housing 'I8I at its free end enclosing a spring biased plunger detent I82 (Fig. for cooperation with notches in the periphery of the adjusting wheelI61. The plunger I82 has a pin I83, extending therethrough, cooperating with a slot in the housing I8I to prevent turning of the plunger out of alignment with the notches in the wheel I61, and. to limit the upward movement of the plunger. By lifting the detent' I82, and turning the arm 'I89, the dog I12 can be moved or dialed to any position about the shaft I 51. A collar I84, fixed to the sleeve I18 by a set screw I85, prevents movement of the parts 'to' the right, as viewed in Fig. 12.

A dog followerlever I86, carrying a. follower I81 for actuation by the dog I12, is pivotally mounted by a pin I88 on the bracket I58, and

connected, by a pivot pin I89, to a link I92. The link I92 is connected,'by a pivot pin I93, to the lever I93.

The wheel I61, in the present instance, has one hundred and twenty peripheral notches numbered on the face of the wheel, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which correspond in number and position to the teeth of the ratchet disc I64, and to the number of courses which the device counts.

, However, as better seen in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, one

of the spaces between two of the disc teeth is closed to provide a dead spot on the disc against an advancing pawl or tongue I94 therefor by a e The bridge I91 held in a slot I98 by a screw I99. pawl I94 is pivotally mounted by a pin 292 on one arm of a lever 293 and biased'toward the ratchet disc I64 by a spring 294 (Fig. 9). The

lever 293 is pivotally mounted on the shaft I51,

reverse movement of the ratchet disc I64, is of such width and position that it will enter all of the spaces between the ratchet disc teeth, includ-. ing the space that is closed to the advancing pawl I94 by the bridge.,I91. The pawl 29I is pivotally mounted, by a pin 299, on an arm 2I2 of the bracket I58, and biased toward the disc I64 by a spring 2I3.

A lever 2I1, having one arm 2I8 connected by a pivot pin 2I9 to the linkv I I2, has another arm 222 on which a sleeve 223 is disposed (Figs. 9 and 11). As better seen in Fig. 11, the sleeve 22 3 encloses a plunger detent 224 positioned by a pin 221, and biased, by a spring 228, toward a'lug 229 held in position in a slot 232 in the ratchet disc I64, by apin 233, the arrangement of parts being such that movement of the lever 2| 1 in clockwise direction, as viewed in' Fig. 9, will cause the detent 224 to engage the lug 229 to turn the ratchet disc I64, but movement of the disc through a complete cycle in clockwise direction will cause the lug, 229 to slip under the detent 224.

In' operation, at each revolution of the cam' shaft, 24, the high point of the cam I38 engages the roller I3 1 to move the lever I33 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, against the action of thespring I39. This action causes the lever I33 to engage the shoulder I29, on the crank 92, to move the latter clockwise about the spindle 59. as viewed in Fig. 9, which moves the pawl 94 forward by a distance of one tooth of the ratchet wheel 81, and, through the link 99, moves the lever 203 clockwise to cause the tongue I94 to move forward a distance of one tooth of the ratchet disc I64. Thus, although the pawl 94 and the tongue I94 are both turned forwardly once during each revolution of the cam shaft 24, they are not necessarily both advancing the associated ratchet wheels, as will appear.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, the device is adjusted to knit a foot blank portion of the smallest size. That is, as indicated in these figures, with the detent I83 in a notch opposite the zero mark of the adjusting wheel I61, and the pawl I94 in the position relative to the bridge I91 shown, when the pattern chain controls the knitting. to the respective courses between the upper sole and the toe portion of the blank, the device C will not function, because, in order to function, it must add to the number of repetitive courses which are produced in the blank, and taken care of by the usual pattern chain 58. In the above mentioned Zero position of the device C, the dog I12 is just to the left of the follower I81, and the pawl I94 is just about to be lifted ontothe bridge I91. At the next forward movement of the pawl 94, the button I22 on the chain 58 engages the follower portion II9 of the lever II1, as indicated in Fig. '7, to move the button follower lever I I1 to the left, which action moves the shoulder I09 away from the end portion I01 of the lever I03. This movement of the lever II1, causes engagement of the detent 224 with the lug 229 to cause the dog I12 to actuate its follower I81, and the pawl I94 to engage the bridge I91. This action of the dog I12 and its follower I81, causes the end portion I04 ofthe lever I03 to remain in inactive position relative to the pawl 94, although the spring IIO tends to cause the end portion I01 of the lever I03 to follow the shoulder I09.

Upon the next forward racking movements of the pawl 94 and the tongue I94, since the tongue I94 is on the bridge I91, it will move backwardly to engage a notch and to subsequently advance the disc. At 'the ame time, the pawl 94 will continue to notch the ratchet wheel 81 to advance the pattern chain 58 to the end of the fabric.

When repetitive courses are to be addedbetween the upper sole and toe areas to lengthen the foot, before starting the machine, the ;detent I83 is lifted out of the zero notch in the adjusting wheel, and moved counterclockwise to move the dog I12 likewise to position opposite any selected notch in the ratchet disc I64, as shown in Fig. 8.

With the parts in this position, the tongue I94 will merely idle from the beginning of the knitting of the foot portion of the stocking to pawl 94 to inactive position relative to the ratch.

et wheel 81. With this same action, the lever, II1 drags the link II2 to turn thelever 211', which action engages the detent; against the lug This motion advances the ratchet disc I64one notch to get the tongue I94 off the bridge I91,

whereby the tongue may thereafter actuate the disc at each oscillation, until the dog I12 again engages the follower I81, as above described. When this occurs, the portion I04 of the lever I03 is moved counterclockwise, from the position shown in Fig. 8.to the position shown in Fig. 7, to cause the pawl 94'to resume forward racking of the ratchet wheel 81, and the. tongue I94 continues to rack the disc I64 to position relative to the bridge I91 at the end of the knitting, when it is again rendered incapable of advancing the disc from the beginning of the knitting to the point where the extra repetitive courses are to be inserted.

Thus, no matter what the setting of the detent I83 relative to the adjusting wheel I61 for one, two, three, ten, twenty or on up to one hundred and twenty courses, the device C will not go into operation until actuated by the chain 58, but, after going into such operation for any number of courses, from zero up to one hundred and twenty, it will automatically reposition it- .self for knitting the next fabric, or it may be readjusted and automatically go into operation.

Referring particularly to Figs. 19to 24, inclusive, in addition to the portion I41, which cooperates with a. portion I48 of the pawl 94 to hold the latter in inactive position relative to the ratchet wheel 81, the hand lever I44 has a portion 236 for similarly holding a pawl 231'in inactive relation to the ratchet wheel 81. The pawl 231, which is pivoted by a pin 238 to a hand lever 239, normally operates to prevent backward movement of the ratchet wheel 81 after the latter has been notchedforwardly by the pawl 94. Movement of the pawl 231, and the hand lever 239, for a distance of only one notch of the ratchet wheel 81, islimited by engagement of an adjustable set screw 240, in the pawl 231, with a shaft bearing portion 24I on the bracket 64.

With the hand lever I44 in the position of Fig. 19, both pawls 94 and 231 are in inactive position, so that the sprocket drum 51 and the pattern chain 58 may be freely moved in either direction, by turning a crank (not shown), fitted to the end of the spindle 59, protruding to the right, as viewed in Fig. 13. When the lever I44 is moved from its position of Figf 3 to its position of Fig. 19, it stretches a spring 242 extending betweena pin 243, on the lever I44, and a hook portion 244cm a latch 241 pivotally mounted on the shaft I I8, the latch 241 thus being biased counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 19. Also, when the hand lever I44 is moved clockwise to its position of Fig. 19, a latch detent lug 248, on

the handle, depresses an arm 249 of the latch 241 which, when the lug 248 moves beyond a shoul-.

der 252 on the arm 249, causes the shoulder to assume its position of Fig. 19 behind the lug 248 to hold the parts in the positions shown. When the parts are to be returned to normal operative position, the latch arm 249 is depressed, by means of a finger piece 253, against the action of the spring 242, which releases the lug 248 and causes the lever I44 to move counterclockwise, from its position of Fig. 19 to its position of Fig. 3.

A speed reducing switch 254 (Fig. 1), for the main drive motor (not shown) of the machine, is

connected. by a link'251, see also Figs. 7, 20 and 22, to one arm 258 of a bell crank 259, pivotally mounted on the rod 14. The other arm 262, of the bell crank 259, is adapted for engagement by a lug 263 on a lever 264 that is pivotally mounted on the shaft H8, and has a lateral projection 285 (Fig. 25.) carrying a follower portion or projection 281fforrengagement with a button on the patlternjchain 58. A lever 268, also pivotally mount- 'edon the rod 18, has a depending arm 289, and an upper arm 210, see also Fig. 24; which carries a pin 212 disposed in a slot-213 in one end of a link 218, the other end of which is pivotally connected, by a pin 211, to a projection 218 on a lever 219 that is pivotally mounted on the shaft 8, and spring biased clockwise, asviewed in Fig. 7, by aspring (not shown) connected to a hook portion 216 of the lever. A tension spring 28 I see particularly Fig. 20, is connected between the pin 212 and a hook portion 282 on the link 218. The

lever 219 has an armor finger 280 formovement, about the axis of the shaft 8, to and froma position between ashoulder 285 one. stub shaft 286 and the bearing portion 2 in which the stub shaft is disposed. A finger 283, on the lever 219 adjacentito the finger 280, limits counterclockwise movement of the lever by engagement with the stub shaft 286. Another bell crank 281 (Fig. 23), pivotally mounted on the shaft 18, has a depending arm 288 carrying a screw 291 for en-' g'age'ment with the arm 269 of the lever 268, and an arm 289 for engagement by a lug 290 on a lever 29l having a follower portion 292 just above the follower portion 261 of the lever 268. A lateral projection 293, on the lever 268, carries a screw 298 for engagement with the lever 29 I.

The stub shaft 286 carries, at one end, a roller-- 298 (Fig. 20) for operation between shogging cams 302 and 303 (Figs. land 20) .onthe-cam shaft 28 and, at the other end, a bracket 308 which supports a roller 301 on a stud 308. The roller 301 is for actuation by a cam bit 309 fixed to the shogging cam 303. A spring 3l0, connected between hooks M2 and M8 on the bearing portion 2 and the bracket 308, respectively, biases the roller 298 toward the cam shaft 28 on which the shogging cams 302 and 308 are mounted.

After high speed knitting, at a course just prior to'a course in which narrowings are to be effected,

l which thereby moves counterclockwise about its pivot rod 18, as viewed in Figs. '1 and 22. This a button on the pattern chain 58 engages the fol-' lower portion 261 of the lever 268 to move the lug 263 against the arm 262 of the lever 259,

action moves the arm 258 of the lever 259 against a member 3, fixed to the link 251, to move the link to the right, and to thereby operate the switch 258 such that the speed of the machine is reduced.

In the next, or narrowed course above men tioned, the button, which had moved the follower 7 portion 261 and the lever 268, as above described,

engages the follower portion 292 of the lever 29f whereby, by engagement of the lever 29Iwith the screw 298, the lever 259 is maintained in its po-' sition corresponding to the slow, or narrowing, speed ,position of the switch, although the lever '259 is released by the lug 283, which would ordinarilyallow the link 251 to be moved, to the left, by a spring (notshown), associated with the switch 258, to return the switch to its high speed position. 1

'At the same time-,the screw 291 engages the arm 269 of the lever 268 to move the link 218 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 7, and the cam bit- 309 engages the roller 301 to relieve pressure of the spring 310 and the shoulder 285 againstthe finger 280 which is removed from position between the shoulder and the bearing portion 28!. This action releasesthe stub shaft 286 which is moved, by the spring 3| 0, to move the follower 298 inwardly, on the shoggingcams 302 and 303, to

effect shoggingof the cam shaft 28 to the right, i-nausual narrowing'operation. During the above describedoperation, since the finger 280 is relieved of the pressure of the shoulder 285 at the time the finger is to be lifted out of the position of Fig. 7, the connection, between the arm 210 and the link 218, operates like an ordinary pivotal connection without stretching the spring 28L However, when the machine is idle, and it is desired to advance the pattern chain 58 along its path of travel, by use of the hand lever'239 and the pawl 231, since the cam bit 309 does not engage the roller 301 to relieve the pressure of the shoulder 285 against the finger 280, the latter is held in position between the shoulder 285 and the bearing portion 2 by, the spring 3I0. During this condition, and while the chain is being thus advanced by-the hand. lever 239, if a button on the chain 58 engages the i follower 292 on the lever'29l, the lug 290'can move the arm 289 to turn the lever 281, by movement of the pin 212 in the slot 213, against-the action of the spring 28l, since the link 218 is held stationary by the finger 280.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without" departing from the invention closed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. Knitting machine pattern control mecha nism comprising pattern means, and a follower therefor, means including a lever and a pawl for herein disadvancing the pattern means, a member for moving the pawl between active and inactive positions, a course counter including a ratchet disc, a dog adjustable relative to the ratchetdisc, a.

follower for the dog, means connecting the dog a follower and said member, means including a pawl for advancing the disc, means connecting said advancing means and said lever, means for rendering the disc pawl ineffective to advancethe disc, and means controlled by the pattern means follower for renderingthe disc pawlref the disc, a follower for the dog, means including a link between the dog follower and said member, means including a pawl for advancing the disc, means connecting said advancing means and said lever, and means for rendering said dead spot ineffective to prevent operation of the disc pawl connected to the pattern means follower and including means for moving said member.

SQKnitting machine pattern'control mecha-- nism comprising pattern means and a follower therefor, means including a crank and a pawl for advancing the pattern means, a course counter including an adjusting wheel and a ratchetdisc having a dead spot, a member for moving the pawl between active and inactive positions, a dog adjustable relative to the adjusting wheel and the disc, a follower for the dog, means including a link between the dog follower and said member, means including a pawl for advancing I thedisc, means connecting said advancing means and the crank, means for moving the disc to move said dead spot away from the disc pawl,

inactive positions, a dog adjustable relative to and means connecting said disc moving means and the pattern means follower including means for moving said member.

respectively, means closing the space between two of the teeth, a member for moving the pawl between active and inactive positions, a dog adjustable relative to the adjusting wheel and the disc, a follower for the dog, means including a link between the dog follower and said member, means for advancing the disc, means connecting said advancing means and the crank, means for moving the disc, and means connecting said disc moving means and the pattern means follower including means for moving said member.

5. Knitting machine pattern control mechanism comprising a pattern chain, a pattern chain button follower lever, a button on the chain for the button follower. lever, a spindle; a sprocket wheel for the chain, a ratchet wheel and a crank on the spindle, a pawl on the crank for the ratchet wheel, a lever on the spindle for moving the pawl" between active and inactive positions, means including a cam, a cam follower and a follower arm for actuating the pawl, an axle, an adjusting wheel and a ratchet disc fixed to the *axle' and having a corresponding number of notches and teeth, respectively, abridge closing the space between two of the teeth, a slip latch, preventing reversal of the disc, a dog on the axle,

' means holding the dog in selected position on the axle relative thereto,'a dog follower lever and;

a dog follower thereon, a link between the dog follower lever and said spindle lever, a tongue supporting arm and a tongue on the arm for advancing the disc, a link between the tongue,v arm and the crank, a detent support and a spring biaseddetent on the axle, a lug on the disc for cooperation with the detent, a bar connecting the detent support and the button follower lever, and means on the'bar for moving said spindle lever.

6. Knitting machine pattern control mechanism comprising pattern means, a follower for the pattern means, an element carried by the,

pattern means for actuating the pattern means follower, means including a ratchet wheel and a crank for advancing the pattern means, means including a pawl on the crank for the ratchet wheel, a lever for moving the pawl between active and inactive'positions, means including an adjusting wheel and a ratchet disc having a corresponding number of notches and teeth, re-

spectively, a bridge closing the spacefbetween two of the teeth, a dog adjustable relative to the i adjusting wheel and the disc, a follower for said dog, means including a link between the dog follower and said lever, means for advancing the disc, a link between said advancing means and the crank, means including a detent for'moving the disc, and means connecting the detent and I the pattern means follower and including means i for moving said lever.

7. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine for producing stockings having foot portions of different sizes, comprising a pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern element of the chain and mechanism for advancing the chain,

dialing means for controlling the layingof a selective number of repetitional courses between for producing stockings having foot portions of different sizes, comprising a pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern, element of the chain and mechanism for advancing thechain, dialing means for controlling the laying of a selective number of repetitional courses between patterned areas of the heel and toe portions, and

means for causing the patternmeans to :automatically control the operation of said dialing means. 1

9. A,full fashioned stocking knitting machine for producing stockings having foot portions'of different sizes, comprising apatternchain, pat?- tern means including a pattern element ofthe chain and mechanism for advancing' thejchain, dialing means for controlling the laying of a se lective number of repetitional courses between patternedareas of the'heel and toe portions, and 7 means for causing the dialing means to auto operation of said patternmatically control the means. Y

10. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine for producingvstockings having'foot portions Of different sizes, comprising a pattern chain, pat-1 tern means including a patternelement of, the

chain and mechanism for advancing the chaim; dialing means for controlling thelaying of 'a selective number of repetitional courses between patterned areas of the heel and'toe' portions, and ?as matically control the operation of said" dialing means and the dialing means to automatically means for causing the'pattern mans to autocontrol the-operation of the pattern means.

11. Knitting machine pattern control means nism comprising pattern means,a follower for the pattern means, an element carried'by the pattern means for actuating the pattern means follower, means including a ratchet wheel and a crank for advancing the pattern means,- means including a pawl on the crank for'the ratchet wheel, a member for moving the pawl between active and inactive'position, means including an adjusting wheel and a ratchet disc having effe'cf tive teeth corresponding in number less one to the number of notches in the adjusting wheel,

a dog adjustable relative to the adjusting wheel I and the disc, a follower for said dog linked to said pawl-moving'member, means linked to said crank for advancing said disc, means including a portion for moving the disc, andmeans con-L" necting saidportion and the pattern means" follower and including means for moving said member.

'12. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine forfproducing a numberv of courses in' an inter-l mediateportion of a fabric variable at wlll by a setting of the machine, comprising 'a' pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern elee ment of the'chain andmec hanism' foradvancing i H the chain, dialing means for controlling the laying of a selective number of repetitionalrcourses between selected. stocking portions including, a rotatable member and a member "arranged to be 7 connected to said member optionally at anyone of a number of spaced points covering an entire circle and so that the two; members may rotate togetherwhen connected at any of' said points, and means for automatically controlling the operation of one of said means in relation to the operation of the other;

predetermined I 13. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine for producing a-number of courses in'an inter- ;mediate portion of a fabric variable at will by a settingbf the machine, comprising a pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern -ele cluding a rotatable member and -a member armeans .toautomatically control the operation of said dialing means.

'14. A fullrfashioned stocking knitting machine fora'producing -a number of courses in an intermediate 'portionof a fabric variable at will by-a setting .of;;.the mach-ine,comprising a pattern chain-pattern meansinclu'ding a pattern elementof thechain and mechanism for advancing the .chain, dialing meansior controlling thelaying-"ofa selective number of 'repetitional. courses between selected stockingportions including a rotatable member and a member arranged to be connectedito-said member optionally at any one of a number of spaced" points covering an entire circle and so that the two members may rotate together'when connected at any of said points, and means for causing the dialing means toautomatically control the operation of said. pattern means.

15. A; full fashioned stocking knitting machine for" producing a number of courses in an intermediateportionof a fabric variable at will by a setting "of the machine, comprising a pattern chain, pattern-means including a pattern element of the chain and mechanism for advancing .the; chain, dialing'means for controlling the laying of a selective number of repetitional courses between selected stocking portions including a rotatable member and a member arranged to be connected to'said member optionally at any one ota-number of spacedxpoints covering an entire circle=and so'that the two members may rotate together when connected at any of said points, and'means for causing the pattern means to automatically control the operation of said dialing meansand the dialingmeans to automatically control the operation, of the pattern means.

16. In a full fashioned knitting machine having a longitudinally shiftable cam shaft, means I including said shaft for knitting courses of fabric,:means for-shifting said shaftfrom the knitting iposition to another inwhich special opera- 7 .tions are performed on the fabric and back --again, and pattern means forcontrolling said with said pattern-means of means for racking said pattern means including a rotatable member shifting and other operations, the combination and a member arranged to'be connected to said member. optionally'at' anyone of a number of spaced :points coveringanentire circle and so that" thetwo members may rotate together when connected at any one of said points, means for interruptingsaid racking action foran optionally variablenumber of courses, and'means fonautomatically starting said racking means again'at theendof said courses.

l7.In a mu fashioned knitting maehme, in

combination, a longitudinally shiftable cam shaft, means including said cam shaft for ,knitting courses of fabric, means for shifting said shaft from the knittingl position to anotherin which special operations, are performed on the fabric, a patternchain for controlling said shifting and said other operations, means for racking said pattern chain, 'means controlled by said chain for interrupting the action of said racking means for an optionally variable number of courses including a rotatable member and a. member arranged to be connected to said member optionally at any oneof a number of spaced points covering an entire circle. and so that the two members may rotate together when connected atany one of said points, means for automatically starting said racking means again at the end of said courses, and means whereby said-automatic starting means and saidv pattern chain are brought automatically to the same relative positions at the end of a given fabric as at the beginning irrespective. of the number of said optional courses. 1

18. In a full fashioned knitting machine, "in combination, .a longitudinally shiftable oam shaft, means including said cam shaft for laying courses and knitting them in a fabric, means for shifting said shaft from the knitting position to another in, which special operations are performed on the fabric,'a pattern chain for con trolling said shifting and said other operations, means for racking said pattern chain, means controlled by said pattern means for controlling said racking means and including a disk having numbered notches in its periphery and anarmf having engaging means thereon, said arm mount f ed to swing so as to aline said engaging meanswith any of said notches, said controlling means including also means for interrupting the action of said racking means for a number of' courses determined by the setting of said arm and for automatically starting said racking means again at the end of said courses, and means whereby said controlling means and said pattern chain are brought automatically to the same relative positionsat the end of a given. fabric as at the beginningso long as saidarm retains the sam position relative to said notched disk.

19. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern chain, a course counting rotary means, means for delivering moving impulses to both said chain and said rotary means, and means adapted to be so set that said pattern chain will either interrupt its own receipt of moving impulses from said moving means or will not depending upon the setting of the settablemeans including a rotatable memberan'd'a member arranged! to be connected to'said member optionally at any one of a number of spaced points coverin an entire circle and'so that the two members may rotate together when connected at any. one of said points, means whereby said pattern chainstarts saidrotary means, and means whereby said rotary means interrupts its receipt of impulses from said moving means at V the same point in its revolution tomaintain itself and the pattern chain in the same relation at the end of a fabric as at the beginning for a given setting of said settable mea'ns.

20. The combination with a knitting machine of a. pattern means, a course counting means including a rotatable member and a member arranged ,to be connected to said member optionally atany. one of a number of spaced points covering an entire circle and so that the two members may rotate together when connected at any one of said points, means whereby said course counting means remains stationary at the means stops itself and starts said course counting means, means whereby said course counting its driving. pawl ineffective means starts said pattern means, and means whereby said course counting means stops itself at the point at which it started, whereby the pattern means and course counting means have the same relativepositions at the end as at the beginning of a given fabric.

21. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern means, a course counting means, means including two pawls operating during the operation of the knitting machine and adapted to drive said pattern means by one 'pawland said course counting means by the other pawl, means in said course counting means rendering while the course counting means is in a certain position, means whereby said pattern chain may start said course counting means a material period after the start of the pattern means by moving said course counter out of said certain position, means whereby the pattern means may render its own pawl ineflective at the time of starting said course counting means, and'means whereby said course counting means may render said pawl for the pattern means efiective, said course counting means thereupon continuing to rotate until reaching said certain position. I

.22., The combination with a knitting machine ot a pattern means, a course counting means, means adapted to move both said means while the machine is in operation, said course counting means having means preventing said v moving means from afiecting it when the course counting means is in a certain position, means whereby said pattern means pushes said course counting means out of said certain position to cause said moving means to operate the course counting means, and a means adapted to be set either in a zero position or in any one of a number of :other positions as desired and adapted when in -other' than said zero position to permit the interruption of the effect of said moving means on said pattern means for a number of courses varying with the setting, and to maintain the driving relation between said moving means and said pattern means when in the zero setting.

"23. Thecombination with a knitting machine of a pattern means, a course counting means,

means including two pawls for moving said pattern means and said course counting means, the

pattern means by one pawl and the counting means by the other pawl, while the machine is running, said counting means including means whereby its pawl is ineifective and the counting means stands still while in a certain position, means whereby said pattern means pushes said counting means from .said' certain position to render its pawl effective, means whereby the action of said pushing means may render the pawl for the pattern means inefi'ective, and means adapted to be placed in a zero position or in any one of a number of other positions as desired,

said last means adapted when in said zero position to prevent said pushing means from rendering the pawl for the pattern means lnefiective and when in one of its other positions to render the pawl for the pattern means effective again.

24. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern chain, a course counting means including two spaced disks fixed on the same shaft, one of said disks having ratchet-teeth, an arm swivelled on said shaft, means whereby said arm may be secured to said other diskin any one of a number of positions, a'dog fixed to said arm, means for moving said chain and said 1 disks when themachine is running including two pawls one for the chain and one for the toothed disk, I

said toothed disk having means whereby its pawl is ineffective when the disk is in a given'position, means whereby a button on said chain pushes said disks out of said givenxposition tostart the operation of the disks, means whereby said pushing means renders ineffective the pawl for said for producing a number of courses in an intermediate portion of a fabric variable at will by a setting of the machine,.comprising a pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern elementof the chain and mechanism for advancing the chain including a drivingsprocket having its'axis means in predetermined relation of the other.

26. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine for producing a number of courses in an inter to the operation .25 of rotation maintained in constant position 30 matically controlling the operation of one 01' said mediate portion of a fabric variable atwill by l a setting of the machine, comprising apattern' chain, pattern means including a pattern element of the chain and mechanismfor advancing the chain including a driving sprocket having its axis of rotation maintained in constant position throughout the entire operation of the chain, dialing means for controlling'the laying of a selective number of .repetitional courses between selected stocking portions, and means for caus-' ing the pattern means to automatically control the operation of said dialing means.

27. A full fashioned stocking knitting machine" for producing a number of courses in an inter-' mediateportion of a fabric variable at will by a; setting of the machine, comprising a pattern chain, pattern means including a pattern element of the chain and mechanism for advancing the chain including a driving sprocket having its axis of rotation, maintained in constant position throughout the entire operation of the chain,

dialing means for controlling the laying of a se-' lective number of repetitional courses between 1. selected stocking portions, and means for causing I the dialing means to automatically control theoperation of said pattern means.

28. Afull fashioned stocking knitting machine" for producing a number of courses in an intermediate portion of a fabric variable at will by a setting of the machine, comprising a pattern chain, pattern meansincluding a pattern element of the chain and mechanism for advancing the chain including a driving sprocket having its axis of rotation maintained in constant position throughout the entire operation of the chain, dialing means for controlling the laying of a selected stocking portions, and means for causing the pattern means to automatically control. the operation of said dialing means and thedialselective number of r'epetitional courses between ing means to automatically controlthe operation of the pattern means.

29. In a full fashioned knitting machine, in combination, a longitudinally shiftable cam shaft, means including said cam shaft for knitting courses of fabric, means for shifting said shaft from the knitting position to another in which special operations are performed on the fabric,

a pattern chain for controlling said shifting and I said chain for interrupting the action of said racking meansfor an optionally variable number of courses, means for automatically starting said racking means again at the end of said courses,

and means whereby said automatic starting means and said pattern chain are brought automatically to the same relative positions at the end of .a given fabric as at the beginning irrespective of the number of said optional courses,

both said chain and said rotary means, and means adapted to be so set that said pattern chain will either interrupt its own receipt of moving impulses from said moving means or will not depending upon the setting of the settable means, means whereby said pattern chain starts said rotary means, and means whereby said rotary means interrupts its receipt of impulses from said moving means at the same point in its revolution to maintain itself and the pattern chain in the same relation at the end of a fabric as at the beginning for a given setting of said settable means.

31. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern means, a course counting means including a rotary member whose angular motion is always in the same direction, means whereby said course counting means remains stationary at the start of a fabric, means whereby said pattern means stops itself and starts said course counting means, means whereby said course counting means starts said pattern means, and means whereby said course counting means stops itself at the point at which it started, whereby the pattern means and course counting means have the same relative positions at the end as at the beginning of a given fabric.

32. The combination with a knitting machine of a pattern means, a course counting means,

means operating during the operation of the means out of said certain position, means whereby the pattern means interrupts its own driven relationship withsaid driving means at the time of starting said course counting means, and means whereby said course counting means may reestablish the driven relationship between the pattern means and said driving means, said course counting means arranged to thereupon continue to rotate until reaching said certain position.

HENRY C. PINGEL. 

